The system and forms of cooperation between the Hungarian and East German state security services in the Carlos case

Abstract

Aim: The present study undertakes to briefly present the impact of the appearance of Carlos „the Jackal” in Hungary, and the cooperation of the Hungarian and East German state security services in the field of counter-terrorism. The study presents in detail the history, the system of tasks and the organizational changes of the unit dealing with international affairs of the Hungarian State Security Service.Methodology: The study used materials available from the Historical Archives of the State Security Services (ÁBTL) and the Federal Archives of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic (Die Bundesbeauftrage für die Unterlagen des Staatsicherheitsdienstes die ehemaligen Deutchen Demokratischen Republik, BStU), item Hungarian and foreign literature is also relevant in this case.Findings: The study presents in detail the establishment, the system of tasks and the organizational changes of the International Relations Department responsible for the matter. Based on the available and processed archival sources and literature, we can conclude that in counter-terrorism cases, such as in the case of the C-79 file as well, intensive international co-operation took place, especially between the Hungarian and East German state security services.Value: In the recent period, there was no study that showed the cooperation of the Hungarian and East German secret services in connection with the Carlos case.